Roughly three years ago, Jordan Lee Meachum, a freshman at Woodward Academy in College Park, received a notification in the mail regarding the National American Junior Miss Teen.

From the beginning, her interest was piqued.

“I wanted to try pageants,” she said. “[It] seemed like a fun and interesting thing to do.”

This year, however, Meachum’s participation reached a pinnacle—as she received the title for Georgia’s 2012 Junior Miss Teen.

Her win was only her second time competing for a title, after receiving the National Cover Girl title in 2010.

“I was shocked and my feet were killing me,” said Meachum with a laugh. “When they called my name, my feet felt light. It was crazy because it was my first time ever winning a pageant. I was pretty much laughing and crying at the same time. I was very happy to win.”

Along with her win, Meachum was awarded a modeling scholarship.

“I just finished my photo shoot two weeks ago,” she said.

Meachum competed for the title July 6 to 8. Components of the competition included formal wear, an interview with a panel of judges and a personal introduction.

To adequately prepare for competition, there was a formula she used to maximize her potential of success: her mother helped her practice and perfect her speaking skills and a graceful walk.

“I put on my dress and shoes and practiced walking with a natural flow,” said Meachum. “My mom coached me with questions for the interview and practiced my introduction with me.”

Meachum will head to Nationals Thanksgiving week, but not without a few tweaks to her platform.

“I am hoping to give my personal introduction more bang,” she said. “I’m working to make my walk more natural and to wow [the judges] with the interview. It’s important to make them laugh.”

As a requirement to compete on the national level, Meachum must complete community service hours. When she is not practicing or attending to her studies, she is volunteering.

“I plan on going to a nearby animal shelter and walking the dogs, and a nursing home,” she said. “I also donated some toys just last weekend at the children’s hospital.”

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